What started as a routine confirmation hearing quickly turned into a heated exchange when Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi clashed with Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), who was called out by the Trump nominee for his prior censure by Congress. Schiff questioned Bondi, the former Florida Attorney General, about hypothetical cases and her approach to pardons, and the tension between them grew as the conversation progressed. The core of the conflict centered on Schiff’s inquiries regarding potential investigations and the handling of presidential pardons.

“Will it be your advice to the President: ‘No, Mr. President. I need to go over them on a case-by-case basis. Do not issue blanket pardons.’ Will that be your advice to the President?” Schiff pressed early in the hearing. Bondi replied, “Senator, I have not looked at any of those files. If confirmed, I will look at the files for the pardons as well as the ongoing investigation.”